I got this in an email yesterday and thought I would share it with this thread. It's an interesting idea. Maybe it's time for trickle UP economics.

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
I'm also against the $700,000,000,000++ bailout being
proposed in Congress right now!

Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to
America in a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are
200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man,
woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at
adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon -- that
equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We
Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a
tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay
$127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right
back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their
pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your
family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
Pay off credit card debt.
Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college – It’ll be there for Junior.
Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car – create jobs
Invest in the market – capital drives growth
Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+
including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers
and every other company that is cutting back. And of course,
for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do
it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote
buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of
our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail
out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean
it up.

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.

Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.”

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the
$85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the
geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion
because $25.5 Billion is returned
instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,
Birk

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic